Up Close with the Vulva

Do you know your vulva? Do you know what a vulva is? Vulva is the proper term for a woman’s genitals, which are made up of many parts, including the vagina. Here’s a rundown of the key parts of a woman’s sexual anatomy, important to know for your health and your pleasure:

Labia Majora: The outer vaginal “lips.” Usually covered with pubic hair, they partially protect the rest of the sexual anatomy.

Labia Minora: The inner vaginal “lips,” which are smooth and hair-free. A lot of variation in genital appearance is found in the labia minora, which can be straight, scalloped, short, long or everything in between.

Clitoris: The clitoris is the seat of arousal for most women. Only a tiny part of it, called the glans, is visible. It’s usually the size of small pea, although it varies widely from one woman to another.

Mons Pubis: The fatty mound of tissue, usually covered with pubic hair, located above the clitoris where the labia majora meet. It pads the pubic bone, but it’s also full of nerve endings and highly sensitive.

Perineum: The small area of hairless skin between the vaginal opening and the anus; another highly sensitive spot for many women.

Vagina: The banana-shaped canal that travels from the visible vaginal opening to the cervix.